Ferguson is not the only United legend who has decided enough is enough, with midfielder Paul Scholes deciding to hang up his boots.

Scholes announced his retirement for a second time yesterday, having resumed his career in January 2012 after initially quitting the game at the end of the 2010-11 season.

The 38-year-old former England man started today's game and played for over an hour before being replaced by Anderson, and he said afterwards: "It's been a good day. We won the game and that's all that matters. We've picked the trophy up and we'll celebrate tonight.

"I haven't played for four or five months so it was just nice to get through the game and win it.

"I thought it went quite well. You thought it would have been quite emotional for him (Ferguson) but he spoke well at the end of the game and he has done a fantastic job here, that goes without saying.

"He's just happy now and is looking forward to what the team are going to do next year and hopefully we can go on from here and win more trophies."

On his retirement, he said: "I know it's the right time. It's not the season I would like to have had but we've won a trophy and that's all that matters to the team.

"It's a great day. We won the game and won the league."

Another of United's veterans, winger Ryan Giggs, said Ferguson was determined to win today's match and to do it with a good performance.

"He (Ferguson) just said play the game and not the occasion. He wanted to win the game, he wanted his last game at Old Trafford to be entertaining and to win and to do all the things we've done over the years since he's been manager," said Giggs.

"All players have got a part of play, whether they are players who have not achieved much or older players who drive them on.

On his favourite memory of Ferguson, the 39-year-old Welshman said: "There's not a favourite time. The memories that stick out are ones from when I was younger and 13, 14, playing for Salford boys. I would look over to the sideline and there is the manager of Manchester United. That is amazing for a 13-year-old and the relationship has just built."